Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.
She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.
She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.
Dua Lipa is heading home. For the first time in her career, the chart-topping pop star will headline Wembley Stadium in London this weekend, and fans are buzzing with anticipation. The two-night stop is part of her Radical Optimism world tour, which kicked off in Asia and will continue through the end of 2025. Here’s everything you need to know before heading to one of the capital’s biggest gigs this summer.
When, where, and what to expect from Dua’s Radical Optimism shows
Dua performs at Wembley Stadium on Friday, 20 June and Saturday, 21 June. Doors open at 5pm, support acts start from 6pm, and Dua is expected on stage by 8.15pm. Each show wraps up by 10.30pm.
The pop superstar is expected to perform a 22-track setlist, including hits like Levitating, Don’t Start Now, Dance the Night, and New Rules, alongside tracks from her latest album, Radical Optimism. Recent shows have also ended with a taped outro of Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance with Somebody, keeping the energy high as fans exit.
Support acts for both nights include Dove Cameron and Alessi Rose. However, there’s speculation that RAYE and Charli XCX might also make surprise appearances for Dua’s hometown concert.
For those interested in merch, you can shop at the stadium or drop by the official pop-up shop in Shoreditch from 19 to 22 June (11am–6pm).
Dua Lipa on stage performing hitsGetty Images
Tickets, banned items, and travel advice
Tickets are still available through resale platforms like Viagogo, StubHub, and Ticketmaster. Prices range from £55.20 (₹5,800) for resale general admission to £549 (₹57,600) for the official ‘Dua Lipa Gold’ hospitality package. Fans should be cautious, though, since resale tickets might not be valid if the original terms don’t allow transfer. Always check with the original ticket provider.
Wembley has a strict bag policy of only one bag per person, no larger than A4. Also banned are alcohol, large umbrellas, glass bottles, perfume, selfie sticks, and professional cameras. Security checks are mandatory at entry.
When it comes to travel, Wembley Stadium is served by three stations, including Wembley Park (Metropolitan and Jubilee lines), Wembley Stadium (Chiltern Railways), and Wembley Central (Overground and Bakerloo). Check TfL’s website for updates, especially for planned closures or delays over the weekend.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or just love a good stadium show, this is set to be a memorable event in London’s live music calendar.
Karan Johar sold 50% of Dharma Productions to billionaire Adar Poonawalla in a deal worth £100 million.
Creative decisions will now be weighed against profitability.
Johar credits coo Apoorva Mehta for steering the company’s business operations.
A strategic partnership for growth
Filmmaker Karan Johar spoke about selling 50% of Dharma Productions to businessman Adar Poonawalla, a move aimed at expanding the studio’s creative and commercial reach. The deal, valued at ₹1,000 crore (around £100 million), was executed through Poonawalla’s serene productions. Johar retains the remaining 50% stake, while Apoorva Mehta continues as executive chairman and ceo.
Speaking to Komal Nahta on his YouTube series Game Changers, Johar said: “I had many dreams that weren’t fulfilled due to funding constraints. I was very clear that I was okay selling 50% of equity because I wanted to expand and leave legacies within the company.”
The role of friendship and trust
Johar revealed that his personal connection with Poonawalla and his wife, Natasha, influenced the partnership. “Adar picked up the phone one day and said he was interested. I initially told him this isn’t your business, but he also wanted to expand,” he said.
He emphasised that the deal did not compromise his creative control: “We haven’t lost any creative freedom. There are checks and balances because having a partner makes you more accountable. Aadar is compassionate and sharp in business. We lean on him for advice when exploring bigger deals.”
Business oversight and profitability
Johar credited Apoorva Mehta for Dharma’s disciplined financial management. “Apoorva is the most correct human. Our accounts are perfect down to the last rupee. He runs Dharma like a well-oiled machine. Without him, I would have fallen apart. I am creative, not business-minded, and he has been the backbone,” Johar said.
For the first time, Johar said, he is making creative decisions with profitability in mind. “Before this, there was no accountability. Now, Apoorva keeps me on my toes. He says, ‘not profitable, don’t do it,’ which sometimes feels upsetting, but growth comes from profit. I want to remain artistic, but I also need to be commercial.”
He cited his film Homebound, critically acclaimed worldwide, as an example of projects he might now reconsider: “I can’t say if I’ll make such films in the future. I will feel upset, but this deal is about growth.”
From boutique studio to expanding enterprise
Johar stressed that dharma was already profitable before the deal. “It’s not like our company was in jeopardy. We were a zero-debt, boutique studio. We did this deal to unlock growth potential that would have otherwise been limited,” he said.
With the new partnership, Dharma has launched a distribution arm, and discussions are ongoing to expand the music division. Johar said the move allows the studio to pursue larger-scale projects while balancing commercial and artistic goals.
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Stephen Fry delivers a commanding performance as Lady Bracknell in the West End transfer
Stephen Fry is playing Lady Bracknell. Yes, that is correct.
It completely sold out at the National Theatre.
Olly Alexander and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett are the two young men lying about their names.
It is directed by Max Webster, the man behind the Life of Pi play.
You can see it at the Noël Coward Theatre until 10th January.
This new production of The Importance of Being Earnest is the one everyone is talking about. It has moved from the National Theatre to the West End after tickets for the first run were completely unavailable. The whole production has a massive buzz, and, honestly, most of it is about Stephen Fry’s decision to take on the role of Lady Bracknell. It is a proper talking point.
Stephen Fry delivers a commanding performance as Lady Bracknell in the West End transfer Marc Brenner
What is the deal with Stephen Fry playing Lady Bracknell?
Look, it is genius casting. The role is usually played by a formidable older woman, but Fry completely owns it. He has the height, the voice, and the sheer presence. You truly believe he could silence a room just by walking into it. That famous "A handbag?" line? With him, it is not a shriek. It is slower, deeper, and somehow much more devastating. It is the kind of performance people will definitely remember.
Stephen Fry takes on Lady Bracknell in the West End run of 'The Importance of Being Earnest'Marc Brenner
Who else is in this production?
He is not up there by himself. Olly Alexander from Years & Years is playing Algernon, bringing a truly playful charm to the part. Nathan Stewart-Jarrett is Jack, the character with the fake country brother. The supporting cast is rock solid. Hugh Dennis is the Reverend Chasuble, and Shobna Gulati is a wonderfully flustered Miss Prism. It is a proper ensemble; there are no weak links.
Jessica Whitehurst and Kitty Hawthorne in West End transfer of The Importance of Being EarnestMarc Brenner
How do I actually get tickets to see it?
Right, pay attention. The production is at the Noël Coward Theatre and the run ends on 10 January 2026. That is not very far away. Tickets start at £25 (around ₹2,990). Given its history of selling out, you would be smart not to wait around. Check the theatre's official website.
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Behind-the-scenes moments from Aryan Khan’s Netflix series set
Aryan Khan breaks his silence following the global success of his Netflix series.
He reveals a specific character's dialogue became a personal mantra for him.
The filmmaker openly discusses the intense pressure and sleepless nights of production.
His debut show has dominated Netflix charts in numerous countries.
Khan shared his emotional reaction to the audience's positive response.
Aryan Khan is finally talking about the whirlwind success of his new Netflix series, The Ba**ds of Bollywood. While the show rockets up the global charts, the new director is pulling back the curtain on his own challenging journey to make it. He has shared how a philosophical line from his own character, Jaraj Saxena, became a crucial source of strength for him, especially when exhaustion and pressure mounted during the demanding production process.
Aryan Khan admits Netflix fame brought him to breaking point and a line from his own show saved him Getty Images
What did Aryan Khan say about his struggles?
Let's be honest, everyone expected a big debut, but nobody predicted this level of pressure. For the first time, Aryan admits how difficult things got. He stated that throughout the most challenging moments, a line from Rajat Bedi's character, Jaraj, would repeat in his head: "Haarne mein aur haar maanne mein bohot farak hota hai," which means "there's a huge difference between losing and giving up."
It's a heavy thought, isn't it? The difference between losing and actually accepting that you're defeated. He joked that at first he put it down to a serious lack of sleep, just fatigue messing with his head. But the idea stuck anyway. It was enough to keep him pushing forward, day after day.
Aryan Khan reflecting on the global success of The Ba**ds of BollywoodGetty Images
How successful is The Ba**ds of Bollywood?
You've seen the memes, you've heard the music. The numbers now confirm it's a proper hit. We're talking Top Five Most-Watched non-English shows on Netflix worldwide. It hit the number one spot in nine different countries. That's not just good, it's huge. The fan theories and reels flooding social media feeds prove the show has connected far beyond just viewership. It's sparked conversations and controversies, which is exactly what any creator wants.
Seeing all this love from a global audience has hit him hard. He called it "deeply emotional." The truth is, you spend years on something, fuelled by little more than your own belief and a few character voices in your head. To then see it bring happiness to so many people? That's the entire point, he says. That feeling is what pulled him into storytelling in the first place.
He acknowledged that the story he started with now feels like it belongs to everyone watching. It's not just his anymore. And he gives a quiet nod to his character again, ending with Jaraj's humble question to the audience: "Ab pehechana?" meaning, 'now you recognise me'?
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Akshay Kumar revealed his daughter’s encounter with an online predator
The Bollywood star revealed a stranger asked his daughter for nude pictures during an online game.
His quick-thinking daughter immediately shut off the device and told her mother.
Kumar described this as a common entry point for more serious online crimes.
He made a direct appeal to the state's Chief Minister for immediate action.
The actor called for mandatory weekly cyber safety classes for students in grades 7 to 10.
You think you have a handle on what your children are up to online, and then a story like this hits. Akshay Kumar just dropped a bombshell about a scare involving his own family, the kind that makes every parent's blood run cold. His daughter was gaming, something millions of children do every day, when a random player slid into her direct messages with a demand for nude pictures. It is this exact horror that has him demanding a "cyber period" be incorporated into the school curriculum, and frankly, who can argue?
Akshay Kumar revealed his daughter’s encounter with an online predator Getty Images/Instagram/akshaykumar
What exactly went down with his daughter?
So, here is the scene. A few months ago, his daughter was deep into one of those video games where you play with strangers from who knows where. Everything seemed normal until a private message popped up. The first question was creepy but simple: "Are you male or female?" She answered, probably without a second thought. Then came the next message. No pleasantries, no warning. Just a straight-up ask for her nude pictures.
The sheer audacity of it is staggering. Thankfully, the child has a good head on her shoulders. She did not engage, nor did she panic. She just switched the whole thing off and went and found her mother, Twinkle Khanna. This is a lesson right there in why children need to feel they can tell you anything.
Is online crime really bigger than street crime now?
Kumar might be onto something. Think about it. That first creepy message? It is never just a one-off. It is a test. They are seeing what they can get away with. If a child even hesitates, the situation changes completely. Then what? Blackmail? Threats? It is a short hop from a nasty direct message to something far worse. The whole thing gets really dark, really fast.
Kumar's argument is that you would not send a child out onto a busy motorway without teaching them the Green Cross Code. So, why are we sending them into the digital wild west with zero training?
Concerned parents are backing the actor’s call for cyber awareness in classrooms iStock
What would this proposed 'cyber period' actually do?
He is not being vague about it. He stood there at a police event and made a direct plea to the state's top minister. His idea is a dedicated lesson every single week for children in standards 7 through 10. This would cover practical, necessary stuff, such as how to spot a scam, what a predator's grooming messages look like, why you never share that kind of personal information, and crucially, what to do the second you feel uncomfortable. It is about building a reflex, like his daughter had. Switch it off. Tell an adult. Do not be a victim. It seems so obvious, but apparently it has to be taught. And after a story like this, good luck finding a parent who would say no.
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Cillian Murphy joins as executive producer for the highly anticipated BBC One revival
Two new series confirmed, set in post-war 1950s Birmingham.
Story shifts focus to a new generation of the Shelby family.
Filming will happen at Digbeth Loc. Studios in the city.
Cillian Murphy is on board as an executive producer.
The show will air on BBC One and iPlayer, then Netflix globally.
Guess the Peaky Blinders saga got a proper, extended run. Just when you thought the Shelbys were done, the BBC has gone and confirmed two brand new series. But this time, they are shaking things up, jumping forward in time to follow a completely new generation of the family. Imagine the same surname, but a whole new set of faces causing trouble in a city desperately trying to rebuild itself.
Cillian Murphy joins as executive producer for the highly anticipated BBC One revival Instagram/peakyblindersofficial
What is the deal with this new storyline?
They are leaving the flapper dresses and the Great Depression behind. We are landing right in the middle of 1953. Birmingham's landscape is just a collection of cranes and concrete skeletons, still shattered from the Blitz. And you know what all that rebuilding means, right? Contracts. Money. Power. A massive, brutal scrap for control of the city's future. It is actually a genius move. The setting is a character in itself: all cranes, concrete, and chaos. The Shelbys, of course, are right in the middle of it.
Steven Knight remains the driving force, writing and creating this new iteration. That is a relief for fans worried it might continue without its original voice. The production is a joint effort between Kudos, known for SAS Rogue Heroes, and Garrison Drama, the team behind the original six series. Here is a juicy bit: Cillian Murphy has signed on as an executive producer. Will his character Tommy's shadow loom large over the new kids? Will we even get a cameo? They are not saying. But filming in Digbeth again means they are keeping it real, sticking to the city that made the show.
The 66-year-old, best known for creating Peaky Blinders and A Thousand Blows Getty Images
When can we expect the new Peaky Blinders?
A specific release date has not been announced. What we know is that each of the two new series will consist of six hour-long episodes. The plan is for it to run on BBC One and iPlayer here in the UK first. After that, it will pop up on Netflix for the rest of the world to binge. This new show is actually coming after that Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man, which is set in the war. Think of that movie as the bridge. So there is a whole lot of Shelby drama coming down the pipeline. Guess we better get ready.